Gila River picnic 05/29

[timh]

Took a little trip from Tucson up to the Gila River near Cochran. We started out off of Hwy 77 at Willow Springs Rd. and headed north on dirt.

A few miles in we ran into this little guy. He was probably the smallest Gila Monster I had ever seen at about 8" long total.

The spot we headed for was open at the end of a long wash so we set up the shade and got comfy. We hung out for a few hours and played in the water a little bit. It was pretty cold but tolerable after a bit.

Swallows nest under the cliff overhangs.

There is a whole vehicle under there!!! All we could make out was the rocker panels and edge of the fenders.

Kiley taking the Daddy ferry out to the island.

We hiked over to the nearby railroad tressle and tunnel for some exploring.

Cactus growing from the top of the metal bridge???

While walking across the bridge I looked down at the water and just happened to see this big Bull Snake crossing the river.

 

[timh]

We walked through the tunnel. It got pretty dark in the middle but it was only about 150-200 yard long.

On the way back across Cayce spotted this high water mark on the bridge dated 10/02/83. The bridge is roughly 25-30 feet off the water and the mark was about shoulder height to us on the bridge.:Wow1:

After sitting around for a few hours we decided to pack it up and do little exploring. We headed to the end of Cochran Rd. and into the tree tunnel.

A Land Cruiser train!!!!!:wings:

Wild roadblock.

 

[timh]

One last pic.

On the way home we stopped at a Great Horned Owl nest that we have known about for a few years. Lucky for us there were a couple of new chicks in the nest!

 

[stolenheron]

omg that looks like a trip made in heaven for me. i'd love to catch a gila monster. talk about an awesome lizard!

im sure you guys had a blast, nice pics, take more next time!

 

[Number 7]

That looks like it was a fun day! Nice pictures. d

 

[timh]

omg that looks like a trip made in heaven for me. i'd love to catch a gila monster. talk about an awesome lizard!

im sure you guys had a blast, nice pics, take more next time!

Oh, there were more. I just didn't have time to put all of them up!:Wow1:

 

[dirty Bakers]

Thanks for the pics. Was this the same route you did earlier that cruises past the Picacho Reservoir?

 

[KSJeep]

Quite the picnic trip, nice report and pics.

 

[1leglance]

great report and very cool pics
I have been in that area 1 time and it looks like I need to get back over there.
I really like the look of the bridges & tunnel

thanks for the report and keep'em coming

 

[timh]

Thanks for the pics. Was this the same route you did earlier that cruises past the Picacho Reservoir?

Not the same route but we ended up at that same place on the Gila. Good memory!!!!

 

[dirty Bakers]

I am interested Because I realy want to explore that area but havent yet, other wise my memory is terrible, ask my wife.